ANNUAL CAIRIBU MEETING 1 MONTH AWAY! | | |
Annual CAIRIBU Meeting
December 9-11, 2026
Memorial Union, UW-Madison
Meeting Program HERE
Wednesday 12/09/2026
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8:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Pre-Meeting for trainees and early-stage investigators
- 12:30 - 7:30 PM - CAIRIBU Meeting
Thursday 12/10/2026
- 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM - CAIRIBU Meeting
Friday 12/11/2026
- 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM - CAIRIBU Meeting
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2:00 - 4:00 PM - Post-Meeting Carpentries Workshop (free to CAIRIBU Meeting attendees): Practical Skill Building for Reproducible Research with R and Github, led by Dr. Lisa Karstens, certified Carpentries instructor
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Register HERE (registration includes meals)
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Reserve lodging HERE by Nov. 7 for reduced rate (rooms going fast!)
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Other meeting details HERE
ABSTRACTS AND POSTERS:
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119 abstracts were submitted this year, a new record
- An abstract booklet will be available prior to the meeting and posted on the CAIRIBU website "Annual Meeting" page
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More than 120 reviewers were invited to evaluate and score abstracts
- Podium presentation slots will be offered to the 3 highest-scoring abstracts
- Others will be presented in one of 2 poster sessions
- "Best Poster" awards in several categories will be offered
- Abstract submitters will received anonymized reviews of their abstracts following the meeting
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
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Ron Korstanje, PhD - The Jackson Laboratory
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Alexis Bakos, PhD, MPH, RN - National Institute on Aging
- Nicholas Steers, PhD - Columbia University
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W. Stuart Reynolds, MD - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
OTHER SPEAKERS ARE FROM:
- Urology O'Brien Centers at Columbia University and Stanford University
- P20 Urology Centers involved in research on kidney stones and benign prostatic hyperplasia
- K12 Scholars and mentors from UC San Francisco, Duke University, Stanford University, UW-Madison, and University of Michigan
- CAIRIBU Urobiome and Uro-Aging Research Interest Groups
TOPICS OF PRESENTATIONS AND SMALL GROUPS DISCUSSIONS INCLUDE:
Aging in the lower urinary tract, uro-immunology, sexual function, bladder and voiding dysfunction, BPH and lower urinary tract dysfunction, neuro-uro disorders, urinary tract infection, urobiome, chronic pelvic pain, bladder pain, urolithiasis, ureteral strictures, erectile dysfunction, post-radiation cystitis and prostatitis, urology-related developmental and genetic diseases
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NEW THIS YEAR
Trainee & Early Stage Investigator Mixer
Tues., December 8, 6:00-9:00 PM
The Graduate Hotel, all trainees welcome
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CAIRIBU Meeting Travel Awards
The CAIRIBU Interactions Core is pleased to announce the following travel awards to undergraduate students, graduate students, medical school students, postdocs, and early-stage investigators within 10 years of their terminal degree or postdoc
1. Zakia Akter, graduate student, UT Dallas
2. Firoj Alom, early-stage investigator, Medical College of Wisconsin
3. Maliha Batool, postdoc, UT Dallas
4. Christina Bergemann, K12 Scholar, Duke University
5. Alexis Boron, graduate student, Michigan State University
6. Julia Chaffin, graduate student, University of Michigan
7. Ariel Chen, medical student, University of Colorado
8. Santiago De La Torre, medical student, University of Michigan
9. Sevilla Duran, post-baccalaureate, Stanford University
10. Miguel Gaspar, graduate student, UT Dallas
11. Aryan Ghotra, medical student, Stony Brook University
12. Ashika Goel, graduate student, Michigan State University
13. Leona Hariharan, medical student, UC San Francisco
14. Ashley Harrie, medical student, University of Michigan
15. Thaissa Horne, research assistant, Virginia Health Sciences at ODU
16. Mariah Jensen-Wachspress, graduate student, Virginia Health Sciences at ODU
17. Rachel Kim, post-baccalaureate, Duke University
18. Brenna Knight, postdoc, Medical College of Wisconsin
19. Sarah Kwabia, graduate student, Duke University
20. Kaitlyn Larson, post-baccalaureate, UC Los Angeles
21. Bettega Costa Lopes, postdoc, Medical College of Wisconsin
22. Marlene Masino, graduate student, Michigan State University
23. Samantha McGuire, graduate student, Virginia Health Sciences at ODU
24. Alina Moriarty, postdoc, Virginia Health Sciences at ODU
25. Megan Nelson, graduate student, UC San Diego
26. Emily Osborn, graduate student, UT Dallas
27. Hannah Ruetten, postdoc, Wake Forest University
28. Rosemary Schaeffer, undergraduate, St. John Fisher University
29. Ruby Shanker, undergraduate student, Duke University
30. Annika Sinha, early-stage investigator, Duke University
31. Lindsay Slaiwa, undergraduate, UC San Diego
32. Tara Spencer, graduate student, Purdue University
33. Isabella Marie Streiber, medical student, University of Northern Colorado
34. Rian Wells, undergraduate, University of Michigan
35. Sarah Wright, early-stage investigator, University of Michigan
36. Haotian Xie, graduate student, University of Michigan
Additionally, Arin Vansomphone, an undergraduate student at Stanford University, received a prestigious Stanford Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Travel Fellowship to present his research at the CAIRIBU meeting. Arin's research mentor is Dr. Alex Polasko (prior CAIRIBU K12 Scholar). Congratulations, Arin.
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Undergraduate Summer Research Scholars to Participate in CAIRIBU Meeting
Directors of the UW-Madison Summer Program for Undergraduate Urology Research (an R25 program funded by the NIDDK) - Chad Vezina, PhD and Kris Penniston, PhD, RD - are pleased to announce that 7 of 10 2026 Summer SPUUR scholars will present their research at this year's CAIRIBU meeting. They are:
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Sarah Altabakha, UW-Madison
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Grace Booher, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
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Aarna Dhar, Mercyhurst University
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Rachel Ireland, College of William and Mary
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Ilse Ness, Juniata College
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Akhil Nelapolu, University of Texas at Dallas
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Laynie Ricke, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
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Advancing the Research Capacity of Trainees and Investigators at Early Career Stages (ARCTICS)
How to Design and Present a Scientific Poster
Wednesday, November 11
1:00 PM Eastern (12 PM Central | 10 AM Pacific)
Zoom link available HERE
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Just in time for preparing to present your research at the annual CAIRIBU meeting, Dec. 9-11 in Madison, WI
Led by:
Nathan Tykocki, PhD, Michigan State University
Lindsey Felth Tanaka, postdoc, UW-Madison
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CAIRIBU BPH Research Interest Group Strategy Discussion
Wednesday, November 11
7:00 PM Eastern (6 PM Central | 4 PM Pacific)
Zoom link available HERE
Join others from the CAIRIBU Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Research Interest Group in a strategic discussion aimed at advancing BPH research. Discussion will focus on identifying knowledge gaps, growing the collaborative BPH research community, and suggesting topics for future knowledge exchanges.
CAIRIBU BPH RIG Leaders: Kazumi Taguchi, PhD, MD (University of Alabama at Birmingham), Renee Vickman, PhD (Endeavor Health), Petra Popovics, PhD (Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University), and Scott Quarrier, MD, MPH (University of Rochester).
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CAIRIBU Urobiome Research Interest Group Strategy Discussion
Friday, November 20
3:00 PM Eastern
(2 PM Central | 12 PM Pacific)
Zoom link available HERE
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The CAIRIBU Urobiome Research Interest Group is a robust and collaborative-minded interdisciplinary research community. All investigators and trainees interested in microbiome and urologic infection research are encouraged to participate in this strategic discussion. Learn about ongoing small group efforts to write review manuscripts and "calls to action" and about future directions, including collaborative grant writing.
CAIRIBU Urobiome RIG Leaders: Nicole De Nisco, PhD (University of Texas at Dallas), Lisa Karstens, PhD (Oregon Health and Science University), and Michael Neugent, PhD (University of Rochester).
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CAIRIBU Uro-Aging Research Interest Group Strategy Discussion
Monday, November 23
3:00 PM Eastern
(2 PM Central | 12 PM Pacific)
Zoom link available HERE
Calling all clinicians and investigators interested in the effects of aging in the urinary tract... Tune into the next CAIRIBU Uro-Aging Research Interest Group discussion to discuss advancing uro-aging science. Make new connections in uro-aging research. Bring your ideas for building this important area of research.
CAIRIBU Uro-Aging RIG Leaders: Scott Bauer, MD, MS (University of California San Francisco), Indira Mysorekar, PhD (Penn State University), and Alexis Adrian, PhD (University Wisconsin-Madison).
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CAIRIBU-ROCK Kidney Stone Research Interest Group - Kick-off Event
NEW!!! This is a joint initiative of the CAIRIBU Community and the Research on Calculus Kinetics (ROCK) Society and will be aimed at discussing emerging research in the biology and pathophysiology of kidney stones.
Thursday, December 3
1:00 PM Eastern (12 PM Central | 10 AM Pacific)
Zoom link available HERE
This kick-off virtual event will feature the current and immediate-past presidents of the Research on Calculus Kinetics (ROCK) Society. Dr. Nicole Miller (immediate past-president) is a urologist at Vanderbilt University and an expert in the surgical and clinical management of patients with kidney stones. Dr. Naim Maalouf (current ROCK Society president) is an endocrinologist at the University of Texas Southwestern specializing in the the medical management of kidney stones, parathyroid disorders, bone health, and other mineral metabolism disorders.
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NEXT KS-RIG EVENT IN JANUARY 2027
Put the January KS-RIG virtual event on your calendar as well. Join Jeffrey Wesson, MD (nephrologist at Medical College of Wisconsin) and Sunita Ho, PhD (scientist at UC San Francisco) will discuss their research related to the pathophysiology of crystal nucleation, growth, and retention.
WEDNESDAY, January 6, 1:00 PM Eastern (12 PM Central | 10 AM Pacific)
| | OTHER UPCOMING UROLOGY EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES | |
Society of Basic Urologic Research (SBUR) annual meeting
- Nov. 12-15, 2026 in Memphis, TN
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Register, view agenda, and book lodging HERE
UTI Global Alliance 2027 Travel Award
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Recognizes distinguished contributions in any area of research related to UTI for early-stage investigators. Funds support travel to a scientific meeting. Deadline is 1/11/2027. Details HERE.
SBUR Career Center
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Online listing of available jobs and other opportunities in urology research HERE
Research on Calculus Kinetics (ROCK) Society annual meeting
- Jan. 29-30, 2027 in Dallas, TX
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Submit proposals for presentation and learn more HERE
Society of Benign Prostate Disease annual meeting
- Feb. 5-6, 2027 in Hollywood, FL
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Register, view program, and book lodging HERE
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NIDDK Issues RFA for New George M. O'Brien Urology Cooperative Research Centers
JUST announced this week... Up to 5 awards are anticipated in FY 2027. Award maximum is $750K per year. Maximum project duration is 5 years. Application deadline closes February 1, 2027.
Urology O'Brien Centers will collaborate with other existing NIDDK-sponsored urology programs, including:
Centers must propose an Administrative Core, at least one Biomedical Research core, at least 2 Research Projects, and a summer student Enrichment Program. Center leaders will participate on the CAIRIBU Community Steering Committee and in CAIRIBU Community Leaders meetings. Centers and their teams will participate in all CAIRIBU Program activities. REFER TO THE FULL RFA FOR DETAILS.
| | Additional funding opportunities relevant to various aspects of urology research are below, curated by Theo Ng, CAIRIBU Interactions Core Administrative Coordinator | | |
AUA Research Scholar Awards
$40,000 per year for 1- or 2-years of mentored training for clinical and postdoctoral fellows within 5 years of completing a doctorate or residency. Early career investigators within the first 5 years of beginning a faculty position are also eligible. LOI deadline: 11/16/2026.
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American Federation for Aging Research Grants for Medical Research
Up to $160K for 1-2 years to support early career faculty (MDs and PhDs) conducting research on the basic biology of aging. Must be an independent investigator with independent research space at a US institution and within 10 years of the start of postdoctoral research training as of 7/1/27. LOI deadline: 12/15/2026.
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Scholars Award in Pain
Up to $150K for 3y (no indirects) to support early-career investigators pursuing research on basic science mechanisms of pain. Proposed research should be related to the molecular biology of pain and/or basic science topics related to developing new analgesics. Applicants must be within 3 years of the start of a tenure-track position or equivalent at an institution in the US or Canada and have independent laboratory space . Deadline: 12/09/2026.
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Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator Funding Program
Funding for direct-acting therapeutics for infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria for UTI and novel chemistry plans against validated antimicrobial resistant targets. Funding amount and project duration varies. Deadline to express interest: 11/23/2026.
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CAIRIBU Funding Bulletin, Oct/Nov 2026
Created by Theo Ng, CAIRIBU Interactions Core Administrative Coordinator, this bi-monthly bulletin complements the CAIRIBU website funding page and features a targeted roundup of new and ongoing research funding announcements. Genitourinary research can be included in a BROAD VARIETY of funding opportunities.
CAIRIBU website funding announcements (updated weekly)
Go to the CAIRIBU website funding tab for extramural funding opportunities - from both government and private sources - as well as CAIRIBU Community funding opportunities.
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Travel Support for Trainees Presenting Aging-Related Urology Research
The CAIRIBU Interactions Core received a grant to provide financial support to trainees and early-stage investigators presenting aging-related urology research at scientific meetings in the US between now and the end of April 2027 (excludes the 2026 CAIRIBU meeting).
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis (first come, first served)
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Your application should be in the form of an email to the CAIRIBU Interactions Core (cairibu@urology.wisc.edu) and should address the items in the table below. Appropriate attachments to the email should be included. Alternatively, you may include all required elements as a single PDF and attach it to the email.
- Applications will be considered until funds are exhausted
- Maximum award amount is $750; we anticipate 2-3 awards
| | | APPLICATION ELEMENT | APPLICANT'S RESPONSE | | 1.) Name of applicant |
| | 2.) Degree(s) - Provide date(s) completed or anticipated |
| | 3.) Meeting or conference - Name, dates, location |
| | 4.) Proof of abstract submission or invitation to present |
| | 5.) Copy of submitted abstract or title of invited presentation |
| | 6.) Anticipated total cost - Itemize expected expenses |
| | 7.) Personal statement - Provide a sentence or two describing: (a) the importance for your career goals of your participation in the meeting; (b) how your work will advance our understanding of urologic aging; and (c) what future steps you will take to continue your development as a urologic aging researcher |
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* The grant (U24AG065204) is from the Clinician-Scientists Transdisciplinary Aging Research (Clin-STAR) Coordinating Center. In addition to supporting trainee travel to scientific meetings in fall of 2026 through end of April 2027, the Clin-STAR award provides financial programming support for initiatives aimed at advancing the interest in urologic aging research at the Collaborating for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology (CAIRIBU) annual meeting.
| | CAIRIBU INVESTIGATORS & TRAINEES IN ACTION | |
At the Society for Basic Urological Research annual meeting (Memphis, Nov. 12-15, 2026)
Investigators and trainees across the broader CAIRIBU Community participate annually in the SBUR meeting. Below is a list of those delivering presentations or leading discussions at the 2026 annual SBUR meeting.
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Lenore Ackerman, MD, PhD (UC Los Angeles) - CAIRIBU Urobiome and Uro-Aging Research Interest Groups
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Chelsie Armbruster, PhD (University of Buffalo) - CAIRIBU Urobiome Reseasrch Interest Group
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James Brooks, MD (Stanford University) - PI of Stanford University Urology O'Brien Center and Co-PI of CAIRIBU-affiliated K12 Program
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Samuel Cornelius, graduate student (UT Southwestern) - CAIRIBU Urobiome Research Interest Group
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Jamisha Francis, MS, graduate student (Vanderbilt University) - CAIRIBU Urobiome Research Interest Group
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Maria Hadjifrangiskou, PhD (Vanderbilt University) - PI of prior Urology P20 Center; CAIRIBU Urobiome Research Interest Group
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Mariah Jensen-Wachspress, graduate student (Virginia Health Sciences) - Urology P20 Center
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Travis Jerde, PhD (Indiana University) - CAIRIBU Uro-Aging and BPH Research Interest Groups
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Ajinkya Limkar, MD-PhD Candidate (UW-Madison) - UW-Madison Urology O'Brien Center)
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Kymora Scotland, MD, PhD (UC Los Angeles) - CAIRIBU Urobiome Research Interest Group
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Chad Vezina, PhD (UW-Madison) - PI of CAIRIBU-affiliated K12 Program and Project Leader, UW-Madison Urology O'Brien Center
Other CAIRIBU-affiliated investigators and trainees will present abstracts and posters at the meeting. Check the SBUR meeting website for details.
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CAIRIBU Community Resource Round-Up
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Kristina L. Penniston, PhD, RD
PI, CAIRIBU U24 Interactions Core
(U24-DK127726)
penn@urology.wisc.edu
Dept. of Urology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
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George M. O'Brien (U54) Urology Cooperative Research Centers Program
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (2014-2019 and 2019-2024)
- Columbia University (2014-2019 and 2020-2025)
- Stanford University (2021-2026)
Multidisciplinary Urologic Research (KURe) Career Development Programs (K12)
- Duke University
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Stanford University
Urological Epidemiology (KUroEpi) Institutional Research Career Development Programs (K12)
- University of California San Francisco-Kaiser Permanente Northern California
- University of Michigan
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Tracy Rankin, PhD, MPH, NIDDK KUH Deputy Director and Program Director, oversees CAIRIBU-affiliated K12 Institutional Career Development Programs
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FORWARD P20 Urology Centers
- Mayo Clinic Rochester (2022-2025)
- Duke University (2022-2025)
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (2024-2027)
- Endeavor Health System (2024-2027)
CAIRIBU Interactions Core (U24)
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PI, Kristina Penniston, PhD, RD
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Research Program Coordinator, Mariana Graff, MS
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Website, Digital, and Organizational Management, Muen Wang
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Administrative Coordination, Theo Ng
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Research Intern, Emily Clevidence
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Research Intern, Edison Chiu
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Student researcher, Ruben Mendes
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Student researcher, Steven Lee
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NIDDK Program Officers who oversee the CAIRIBU Interactions Core and the U54 Urology O'Brien Centers:
| | Links to websites for current CAIRIBU Centers and Programs are on the CAIRIBU website HERE | | |
Collaborating for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology
CAIRIBU is a community first formed around NIDDK-funded U54 and P20 Urology Centers and K12 Institutional Career Development Programs whose overarching objectives are to address gaps in knowledge related to epidemiology, etiology, development, progression, and expression of non-malignant urologic conditions and to train the next generation of leaders in urology research. The CAIRIBU Interactions Core is the central coordinating body for the CAIRIBU Community and for all collaborative-minded investigators and trainees studying genitourinary diseases.
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